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Edition: U.S. Article Comments (0) Slideshow Video Email Print Reprints Read WRAPUP 3-U.S. Senate Republicans firm on tax cuts for rich 13 Sep 2010 Hopes fade for end to tax cuts deadlock 9:32am EDT Iraq combat over but U.S. troops still in danger 13 Sep 2010 Oprah trip "Down Under" surprises Australians - with a bill | Video 9:17am EDT Oprah trip 'Down Under' surprises Australians - with a bill 2:00am EDT Shared Analysis: Referendum reveals three faces of Turkey 13 Sep 2010 Mexico's bloody drug war 13 Sep 2010 US scientists learn how to levitate tiny objects 07 Jan 2009 Cuba announces mass layoffs in bid to spur private sector 13 Sep 2010 Walking helps keep body and brain young 13 Sep 2010 Watched Gaga crowned; Oprah's big trip Mon, Sep 13 2010 Wall Street's Gordon Gekko is back Fri, Sep 10 2010 Hurricane Igor strengthening Mon, Sep 13 2010 NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. NASDAQ delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here. Microsoft Halo aims to reignite video game market Tweet This Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Related News Analysis: Another Microsoft exec pushes escape key Fri, Sep 10 2010 Google's Android to be world No. 2 in 2010: report Fri, Sep 10 2010 US STOCKS-Energy to lead Wall St higher, semis eyed Fri, Sep 10 2010 US STOCKS-Futures track oil up in low volume, semis eyed Fri, Sep 10 2010 US STOCKS-Futures buoyed by oil, chipmakers eyed Fri, Sep 10 2010 Analysis & Opinion iPad shift may wreak havoc on parts of tech sector Related Topics Technology » Media » Related Video Fans queue for new Halo video game 9:06am EDT 1 / 3 After waiting 55 hours in line Delio Gautreaux purchases the first copy of the science fiction video game ''Halo: Reach'' at a launch event in New York, September 14, 2010. Credit: Reuters/Microsoft/Handout NEW YORK/SEATTLE | Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:41am EDT NEW YORK/SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp is hoping to reverse the recent slump in video games and kickstart the holiday shopping season as it launches the latest version of its blockbuster Halo video game early on Tuesday. Halo: Reach, the fourth in the popular series that pits the player against murderous aliens in a variety of settings, will be available from midnight in stores across the United States. The game has sold more than 34 million copies in the nine years of its life -- boosting the popularity of Microsoft's Xbox console -- helping the world's largest software company grab a slice of the $20 billion U.S. video game business. The new Halo: Reach, technically a prequel to the main Halo narrative, has better graphics, more complex fighting scenarios and new ways of playing with others online, which analysts say could bring some excitement back to the slack video game business. "If hardware sales react in a similar fashion to what was experienced when Halo 3 was launched in September 2007, September could be a huge sales month for Xbox 360 hardware," said Anita Frazier, an analyst at retail research firm NPD. "We can expect big numbers to be reported with September results." U.S. retail sales of video game equipment and software fell 10 percent last month, making it the worst August since 2006, according to NPD, as the industry continues a months-long slump in the shadow of the recession. A record 2.7 million players already tried out a small part of the latest Halo in a beta test in May, which bodes well for sales, although Microsoft has not made any public projections. A splashy launch event is planned for Times Square in New York. Electronics giant Best Buy Co Inc is opening 400 of its stores just after midnight around the country for fans to buy the game. SAVING THE EARTH The game itself is the story of a squad of soldiers (players) defending planet Reach from the Covenant, a band of fanatic aliens intent of destroying humanity. The basic version of the game costs $60, with special editions priced at $80 and $150. Microsoft is also selling a special Xbox console plus the new version of the game for $400. An Xbox normally costs $200 or $300 depending on memory size. The game can only be played on the Xbox, currently the best-selling game console ahead of Nintendo Co's Wii and Sony Corp's PS3. The Halo series, published by Microsoft Game Studios, is a critical part of the company's foray into gaming, begun with the 2001 launch of the first Xbox. Microsoft has sold more than 42 million Xbox consoles and has about 25 million users signed up for Xbox Live, where players can download games and compete against others online. The Halo franchise has grossed nearly $2 billion in sales over its lifetime, Microsoft said. Its entertainment and devices unit, which also sells phone software, posted $8 billion in sales last fiscal year. Halo: Reach is the last in the series made by Bungie, the game studio that created it. In April, Bungie said its next big game would be published by a unit of Activision Blizzard Inc, under a 10-year deal. But Microsoft, which owns the rights to the franchise, plans to take the game in "exciting new directions," said Halo development director Frank O'Connor, in an interview. He gave no further dates or details on future installments. Because Microsoft owns the rights to the game, "that makes the margins very attractive," said Dennis Durkin, chief operating officer of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. (Reporting by Bill Rigby in Seattle and Liana Baker in New York, editing by Leslie Gevirtz) Technology Media Add a Comment *We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. 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Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

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